The Bunny Basics

Hi Dea, just wanted to see how your little bunny got adjusted to the new home with you!!!!

ALex

Hey! Sorry, just saw this today.

He's doing pretty good. Today much better I think, it's only been a week as of yesterday. I did have to order a new hutch/cage. The one I have is just not adequate. I have a playpen that will be connected to the cage, so it will expand his area. Eventually he can run the house, but right now he won't even go outside his cage. I'm not bright enough to build something on my own! LOL So I did find something that will keep him safe and that I can expand using the playpen. I have two dogs, and they seem to do very well with him. But right now he needs his own area. I've left his cage door open with the playpen around him set up with toys and hiding places. But he won't go out. I tempted him with food left out there, but hasn't worked so far. He does look out the door, so maybe he's thinking about it!

My problem right now is that he's been neglected for a long time and his nails are horrible. One is curved up actually. I'm trying to find a vet close to me, and will take him this coming week. There is one farther away I've found, so I have a last resort if I have to. With his nails so bad, I'm afraid of doing it myself.

And I think he might have fleas. The back of his ears are a little scabby. He's been an outside rabbit for years. He doesn't scratch constantly, but the ears worry me. Does anyone have a suggestion on flea meds for rabbits? That's another question for the vet.

I guess since I'm on a rant I'll just go on! LOL I'm introducing veggies to him. Apparently carrots were all he got before. I don't think he got much if any greens, so he's experimenting. It's better now, he eats more than he did last week. But I'm still tossing out food he hasn't eaten. Carrots are the only thing he seems to just love.

He's great with the litter tray.

I saw him actually eat hay this morning, or play with it, it's hard to tell. He was only given hay in the winter for bedding, not as a food source I think.

So, right now I just have to get him to a vet for a nail trimming. And I dread getting him out of the cage into the carrier. I gather using a towel will help? Will see how well that goes!

Hang in there, you probably have to handle him as much as possible. The poor thing probably doesn't know "what hit him" once you got him. Like wow there is a different approach to life.
I introduced fresh veggies and fruits on a day by day basis and not much of it...just little by little and one by one. I found out that our bun loves the filled rolinis or however they are called and the apple bite "cookies". He loves them so much that when he gets it ...he races towards his cage and whoops goobles it up....lol...
I, too have a playpen connected to the cage, which seems to work out great. There is vinyl flooring that I bought for him underneath..which he, of course already chewed up on the one corner. Luckily he just chews it and doesn't eat it...he knows what's good !!!! Good luck at the vet!

Thank you for saving this little guy! If you are having difficulty finding a vet for nail trims a lot of the rabbit rescue groups do free nail trims. They are usually really good about helping when they can.

Here is some good info from the House Rabbit Society on fleas. hope it helps!

Fleas and Mites
Safe treatments to prevent and kill fleas on rabbits include Advantage (imidocloprid), Program (lufenuron) and Revolution (selamectin). The latter is preferred, as it is also effective against various types of mites that cause symptoms of mange, ear canker, and "dandruff" (which is often caused by fur mites in the genus Cheyletiella). These products are available from your rabbit-savvy veterinarian, who can explain dosage and treatment regimens to you at the time of prescription.
A flea comb is a non-toxic device that takes more patience, but is both physically and psychologically rewarding. Most rabbits learn to love the attention of being flea combed, and it can be used as a supplement to your main flea-control program.

The following products should NOT be used on rabbits:

Frontline (fipronil) has been linked to neurological damage and death in rabbits, although this product is apparently safe for dogs and cats. The manufacturer (Merial) has placed a warning on the Frontline label stating that Frontline should never be used on rabbits.
Flea powders, even those considered safe for cats and kittens or advertised as "rabbit safe", are not recommended for use on rabbits.
Flea shampoos, even those considered safe for cats and kittens or advertised as "rabbit safe", are not recommended for use on rabbits. Bathing of rabbits, in general, is strongly discouraged because the stress of the bath itself can cause serious health problems, and has in some cases been linked to the death of the rabbit. Flea baths or dips are NOT recommended for this reason.
For environmental flea control, sprays and "bombs" are not recommended, as they may leave harmful residue that the rabbit can ingest. Safer alternatives include borax and diatomaceous earth, worked into the carpet where fleas leave their eggs.

Here is a really good article on shy bunnies:

http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/shybun.html

Thanks again for helping this bunny and for understanding what he has been through. I just know he will blossom into a wonderful bun when he learns to trust you!

Thank you guys! I'm trying. I do feel that it must be a different world for him. I may be ignorant LOL, but he's got alot more attention than he has in his entire life. He is in my computer room too, where I am if I'm at home.

I'll go now and read that article about shy rabbits. He loves to be petted, and goes to the side of the cage when my little Japanese Chin (who adores him) comes up. They sniff noses through the cage right now. My little dog is the same size as the rabbit. My sheltie is pretty indifferent to the rabbit altogether, which helps me. At least I don't have to deal with her right now.

That Revolution stuff sounds good. I have yet to call around my local vets, but that's helpful to know about Advantage like products.

Just giving you an update. It's a BOY! LOL I wasn't sure. And I learned the proper way to hold him. He's a snuggle bunny. When he was on the table, he got next to me for comfort, so I must be making a good impression.

Anyway, they clipped his nails, and gave him an overall checkup and the doctor said I had a healthy rabbit. I'm SO glad I took him for a checkup. I would have worried about everything if I hadn't. And I really love this vet. I'm going to take my dogs there when they next need their checkups. I haven't been impressed by the ones really close to me, and this one is further, but they were all so good. I've only lived in this town for 2 years, so I didn't know about the other vets. They are vets for "all" animals, exotics as well as horses, etc. And just wonderful.

So I have a healthy boy bunny. I'll take a picture when I can get a good one. Also, I have a new hutch/cage ordered, so I want to get that set-up too before taking a picture. He never ventures out into the playpen area yet, but he's sticking his head out further every day, so he's thinking about it!

Oh, and no one in my family liked the name Shelby. I had been calling him Puddin' so I guess that's his name. I live alone right now (divorced), but my family always include the pets as "family" too (birthdays, Christmas, etc.), so I had to nix Shelby. Although saying the name "Puddin" out loud in the vet office is slightly embarrassing!

That is awesome...glad all went well at the vet. You made me grin with Puddin...it's cute!

Alex